Massive surge in illegal blood sport in Cambridgeshire

Hunting hares with dogs was banned more than a decade ago, and farmers and landowners in Cambridgeshire have been warned by police to be on the alert for people trespassing on their land.
Cambridgeshire and Norfolk have been prime areas for the illegal sport, in which thousands of pounds changes hands in bets.
Anyone found guilty of the offence faces a fine of up to £5,000.

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A police spokeswoman said: “Hare coursing remains one of the biggest crimes to affect our rural communities between September and February, particularly in South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire and Fenland.

“Driving hare coursing out of the county is a priority for RCAT and we will do all we can to catch those responsible and bring them to justice.”

The Hunting Act 2004 made hare coursing illegal and anyone convicted of the offence can be fined. Hare coursers could also face a criminal behaviour order, seizure of vehicles and other property and a driving ban.

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The most obvious sign of hare coursing is a group of vehicles parked in a rural area, perhaps by a gateway to farmland, on a grass verge, on a farm track or bridle path.

Landowners are urged to consider blocking entrances to their fields with ditches, fencing or trees of even barriers like barrels filled with concrete.

Anyone who sees hare coursing taking place is asked to contact police immediately on 999 and provide officers with a description of the people involved, any registration numbers and vehicle descriptions and the location and direction of travel.

It's important people don’t confront hare coursers or put themselves at risk.

If you have information about hare coursing but it’s not currently happening or have been a victim of the crime, please call 101 or report online at www.contactcambspolice.uk/report